Two things catch my attention. One is a manual focus full frame SLR lens, of 55mm f/1.4, claiming to be best in class, will be available in Canon and Nikon mounts. The prototype image shown doesn't look like their existing CaNikon range in styling, with a smooth plastic look as opposed to the machined metal. Also for a "50mm-ish" type lens, it seems physically longer than average so they may be doing something interesting there.

The other interesting comment is they say they will release AF lenses for mirrorless CSC around mid-next year. There is no hint as to the mount options, only saying they plan to "initially offer fixed focal lengths in the wide angle and standard range as well as a macro". AF definitely a nice to have for the more mainstream market. Given the Zeiss traditional positioning, this should be interesting from a performance perspective, if not price or small size. Side thought: while micro4/3 seems an obvious target with the biggest potential audience, they also have the most developed lens lineup. So I wonder if there's more potential sales on the more lens limited systems like Sony, Fuji and the unreleased Canon. Those all share APS-C sized sensors so have better reuse potential between them for a given optical design. But I'm not sure it'll be for NEX, as I would have expected Sony to make the announcement than Zeiss if that were the case.

.After my initial excitement I'm now not so sure Zeiss will go after the relatively mature m4/3rds market which already has a pretty good selection of fast primes and some good quality zooms. I hope I'm wrong and that Zeiss pull several pint sized, or smaller, rabbits out of their corporate hat. So far as Sony is concerned they should be paying Zeiss to develop lenses for their still immature NEX system.

Here's a quirky thought: when Zeiss refer to a developing AF lenses for a CSC might they be talking about the yet to be announced but much speculated upon Leica CSC?

Wouldn't you want to use Leica glass on Leica? Or is this one of those rare occasions where Zeiss is the cheap option!

It's definitely a tricky one to call. I think NEX is a strong candidate, since didn't Sony make the interface open? While I can't find a list of micro4/3 members, I did find Zeiss has signed up for the system so that remains a possibility also.

For sure but if, and it may still be a big "if", Leica does announce a CSC I somehow doubt they'll have the resources to produce much native glass for a new mount in the first year or two. But that all depends on if they announce a CSC, if that CSC offers AF (implying not M-mount) and if their market research shows that their likely customers would rather AF than use existing M-glass, which presumably many of them would already own, via an adaptor. Said it was a quirky thought...

But if not Leica then who? I'd exclude Nikon and Pentax on grounds of sensor size and Samsung and Fuji on grounds of small volume (guess on my part) which leaves Canon, Sony and m4/3rds. Oh well, we'll find out next year.

My theory is that now all the major players have showed their mirrorless cards, they can do lens design optimised to work with as many of them as possible. The safe choice is to make APS-C lenses coping with the required flange distances for the various models. Then adapt and fit it to them on a predicted ROI basis. NEX would be an easy target. micro4/3 with its smaller sensor would end up with possible odd value equivalents on this route, but still possible. I think Fuji is a good choice too. It may be niche, but since it's aiming for the premium end, it would be an easier sell at elevated prices than in micro4/3 for example. Canon would also be a likely target in time, but they need to get to market at all first. Nikon 1 (forget Pentax Q) is a bit way off but there's still potential as effective longer equivalents.

Zeiss have finally spilled the beans. The new lenses will be available for NEX and Fuji only at this time, citing systems capable of providing higher quality images being their primary target. Lenses in development are 2.8/12, 1.8/32 and 2.8/50 macro, all featuring AF. NEX versions can be manually focused. No mention of that on Fuji, but that will have an aperture ring.

Exact pricing is not given but indicated at "around 1000 euro" so they're typically Zeiss!

The smaller sensor micro4/3 format is not included for now. I suspect that's due to them having to do more work as it really requires separate lenses rather than recycle ones from bigger sensor versions. They're not going to do a Sigma and just change the mount on an APS-C lens, resulting in a less optimised design.